The Magpies lost 1-0 at home to Everton on Wednesday night, with Wayne Rooney's first-half winner condemning Newcastle to yet another defeat.

It's now seven defeats in the last eight Premier League games for Newcastle, but there was some good news on Wednesday, as The Guardian reported that Amanda Staveley's planned £300million takeover of the club is drawing closer.

With that in mind, manager Rafael Benitez will be looking for January signings to boost his struggling side, and The Express report that he wants Luke Shaw and Danny Ings to be his first two signings of the Staveley era.

Manchester United left back Shaw has struggled for first-team football this season, and Benitez allegedly wants to lure him to St. James' Park next month in a bid to offer him playing time.

Meanwhile, Liverpool striker Ings is working his way back to fitness after two major knee injuries, and needs playing time in order to get back to full speed, with Newcastle certainly in the market for a goalscorer.

Both players would be loan signings, and Newcastle fans may be dreaming of a more long-term plan to kickstart the Staveley era, featuring smart signings with a view for the future.

Shaw and Ings could help Newcastle retain their Premier League status in the second half of the season, but supporters could certainly be expecting smart, calculated permanent signings rather than simply bringing in temporary solutions.

Olly Dawes

Olly is a Sports Management graduate and aspiring journalist, with most of his work surrounding football or NFL. He has formed two of his own sites, as well as contributing to a number of others before starting with Here Is The City.